THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm pleased to announce my
nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to be the 81st Attorney General of
the United States. Judge, thank you for agreeing to serve.

The Attorney General serves as our nation's chief law enforcement
officer. The Attorney General has an especially vital role to play in a
time of war, when we face the challenges -- and we face the challenge of
protecting our people on a daily basis from deadly enemies, while at the
same time protecting our freedom.

Judge Mukasey brings impressive credentials to this task. In 1987,
he was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to the United States
District Court of the Southern District of New York. It's one of the
country's busiest and most respected trial courts. He sat on that court
for more than 18 years, and he earned the reputation as a tough, but
fair judge. For six of those years he was the chief judge, and he was a
sound manager and a strong leader. Throughout his time on the bench,
Judge Mukasey was widely admired for his brilliance and his integrity.

Mike has experience in the Justice Department and private practice,
as well as having served on the bench. He served four years as an
Assistant United States Attorney in Manhattan, where he tried many cases
and he developed expertise in the workings of the criminal justice
system. He's also worked as a partner in a law firm, and he holds
degrees from Columbia University and Yale Law School.

Some of Judge Mukasey's most important legal experience is in the
area of national security. Judge Mukasey presided over the trial of the
terrorist known as "the Blind Sheikh," and his co-defendants in the
conspiracy to destroy prominent New York City landmarks, including
bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.

Before the 9/11 attacks, this was one of the most important
terrorism cases in our nation's history, and the verdict in that case
was affirmed on appeal. In affirming the convictions, the appeals court
signaled out the judge for praise. I found it very interesting what
they said. Here's what they wrote: "The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey
presided with extraordinary skill and patience, assuring fairness to the
prosecution and to each defendant, and helpfulness to the jury. His was
an outstanding achievement in the face of challenges far beyond those
normally endured by a trial judge."

When the World Trade Center was attacked again, Judge Mukasey
quickly reopened his court, even though it was just blocks from Ground
Zero. He recognized the importance of maintaining a functioning justice
system in the midst of a national emergency. He and other judges in his
district worked day and night to ensure that applications for warrants
were processed, investigations could proceed, and the rule of law was
upheld.

Judge Mukasey is clear-eyed about the threat our nation faces. As
a judge and a private lawyer, he's written on matters of constitutional
law and national security. He knows what it takes to fight this war
effectively, and he knows how to do it in a manner that is consistent
with our laws and our Constitution. And when confirmed by the Senate as
Attorney General, he will work to ensure that our law enforcement and
intelligence officers have the tools they need to protect the United
States and our citizens.

When he takes his place at the Department of Justice, he will
succeed another fine judge, Alberto Gonzales. From his days as a
Supreme Court Justice in Texas, to his years as White House Counsel and
as Attorney General of the United States, this honorable and decent man
has served with distinction. I've known Al and his family for more than
a decade. He's a dear friend and a trusted advisor. I will miss him
and I wish Al and Becky all the best.

With Mike Mukasey, the Justice Department will be in the hands of a
great lawyer and an accomplished public servant. Mike has shown good
judgment in the courtroom, he's shown good judgment outside the
courtroom. After all, he married a teacher. And we welcome Susan here,
as well as son Marc and daughter Jessica. Thank you all for coming.
He's also brought his sister, Rhoda, and brother-in-law Norm. I want to
thank you all for supporting Mike as he takes on this important
responsibility for our country.

It's a pivotal time for our nation, and it's vital that the
position of Attorney General be filled quickly. I urge the Senate to
confirm Judge Mukasey promptly. Until the Judge is confirmed, Assistant
Attorney General Paul [sic] Keisler will serve as acting Attorney
General. Accepting this assignment requires -- Peter -- I said -- Peter
Keisler. Accepting this assignment requires Peter to delay the
departure date he announced earlier this month, and I appreciate his
willingness to do so. Peter is the acting Attorney General. Paul
Clement, who agreed to take on this role, will remain focused on his
duties as Solicitor General, so he can prepare for the Supreme Court
term that begins just two weeks from today.

Judge, I'm grateful for answering our nation's call to serve. I
look forward to welcoming you as the next Attorney General of the United
States.

JUDGE MUKASEY: Thank you, Mr. President. I am, of course, deeply
honored to be selected as the nominee for Attorney General of the United
States. Mr. President, I am also grateful to you for giving me the
chance to return to the department of Justice where I served early in my
career.

The department faces challenges vastly different from those it
faced when I was an assistant U.S. attorney 35 years ago. But the
principles that guide the department remain the same -- to pursue
justice by enforcing the law with unswerving fidelity to the
Constitution. I have always had great respect for the men and women who
follow those principles day in and day out in all the constituent
branches of the department. My fondest hope and prayer at this time is
that, if confirmed, I can give them the support and the leadership they
deserve.

This morning I received a congratulatory call from the man I've
been nominated to succeed, Alberto Gonzales, and I appreciate his
support and encouragement.

I said a moment ago that the challenges the Department faces are
vastly different from those we confronted 35 years ago. Less than a
week ago, we marked a solemn anniversary that reminds us, if we need
reminding, of how different those challenges are. Thirty-five years
ago, our foreign adversaries saw widespread devastation as a deterrent;
today, our fanatical enemies see it as a divine fulfillment.

But the task of helping to protect our security, which the Justice
Department shares with the rest of our government, is not the only task
before us. The Justice Department must also protect the safety of our
children, the commerce that assures our prosperity, and the rights and
liberties that define us as a nation.

I look forward to meeting with members of Congress in the days
ahead, and if confirmed, to working with Congress to meet our nation's
challenges. Thank you very much.